Civic-Roger

There was once a car so small it made the Mini seem like a Big. A car that if you saw one on the streets, you'd swear it was a child's scale replica. That car was the Fiat 500, or Cinquecento en Italiano, and it left such an indelible impression during its 18-year lifespan that Fiat performed a Mini-like resurrection to it three years ago. Now, with Fiat purchasing Chrysler last year, the 500 has been chosen to be the pioneer model to reintroduce the Fiat brand to North America.

The 2012 Fiat 500 certainly has the potential to be the next big (or rather, small) thing. While the original 500 was the size of a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, the nuova 500 looks far more like a regular car -- albeit a tiny one. Compared to a Mini Cooper, it's 6 inches shorter in overall length and 2 inches narrower. However, it is also more than 4 inches taller, allowing for an elevated seating position that not only increases visibility but creates more interior legroom.

Should you want some sun, the 500C convertible (a.k.a. Cabrio) may be to your liking. It maintains the 500's side roof structure, but the center portion is replaced by a power-sliding cloth piece that stacks atop the flip-up trunk. Imagine a cross between a Porsche 911 Targa and an automatic pool cover. The upside is reduced wind and the ability to lower the roof at speeds up to 60 mph -- the downside is horrible rear visibility with the roof lowered.

Initially, there will be one engine offered: a 1.4-liter 101-horsepower four-cylinder attached to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. No, that doesn't sound like a lot of power (and it isn't), but at only 2,350 pounds, the Fiat weighs 218 pounds less than the 121-hp base Cooper, which manages to be reasonably sprightly. It's an energetic engine that sounds happy to work hard, but we'll still keep our hopes up for Europe's hot Abarth 500 model as well as the impressive TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder that promises fuel economy in the range of 57 mpg.

Like the Mini Cooper, the 2012 Fiat 500 promises lots of character and personalization in a price category not usually known for it. It's also competitively equipped, but you could easily leave the dealership with a reasonably optioned 500 for nearly two grand less than the Mini's base price. The 500 barely tops $23,000 when loaded to the gills. Of course, cars like the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Mazda 2 offer more room for even less.

Read more: http://www.edmunds.com/fiat/500/2012/#fullreview

MPR

Love the 500. Especially the abarth version with 170hp.

PurpleStuff

it is a pretty nice car. and it comes in a drop-top! (i lol everytime). Buttttttt, i only have 1 issue, it's made in mexico BY chrysler.... ughh

MPR

^Do you know how many cars today are actually re-branded or made supposedly by other companies?

Brand loyalty has gone out the window with all car makers now a days linking up and collaborating... :P

Civic-Roger

That is true MPR

PurpleStuff

i would rather have the vibe with toyota engine and trans than the fiat with chrysler engine and trans

MPR

^Where did you hear it's a Chrysler engine/trans?

PurpleStuff

the 1.5l is made in michigan by chrysler. the whole car has badges of it being manufactured by chrysler. if you ever have the chance to go to a chrysler deaelrship (one that has fiat), take a look for yourself.

MPR

Meh. I'm not brand bias anymore. Times have changed. Companies change their products. Look at kia's and Hyundai's ten years ago vs today. The improvements are leaps and bounds.

The 500 abarth is still a 170hp turbo hatch that weighs little over 2000lbs. That's a recipe for fun in by books, regardless of the manufacturer.

And the engines in the 500 are 1.4L not 1.5.

Civic-Roger

My wife thinks it's cute.

Sumol15

Guy, I think its cute. I want the Abarth so bad once it comes out. I know its tiny and not efficient as a family vehicle, but I'll trade in the Mazda 6 for it no problem!

MyVtecGoesBWAH

they cut cost making it somewhere else,just like every other car company is doing (honda,vdub ETC) when you buy one it has nothing to do with Chrysler on the car, i have a friend that picked one up. at the end of the day its still a Fiat but assembled somewhere else.

PurpleStuff

how is it still a fiat when it's manufactured by chrysler?

branding = money not quality

MPR

^I'm sayin it doesn't matter who makes it. It's a 2000lb short wheelbase 170hp 1.4 turbo hatch.